Senior Project Manager – Defence Engineering
Location: Hampshire
Contract Type: Permanent
IMPORTANT: Candidates must hold ACTIVE UK Security Clearance (SC) to be considered.
Due to the nature of the work, applicants must already possess active UK Security Clearance and be eligible to work on sensitive defence programmes.
About the Role
We are supporting a leading engineering and technology organisation delivering advanced capability solutions within the defence and underwater systems domain.
They are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of complex engineering and defence projects from concept through to final delivery. The role will involve working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, customers, subcontractors, and senior stakeholders to ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially aware and technically credible Project Manager with experience operating in highly regulated engineering or defence environments.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery
* Lead the full lifecycle delivery of complex engineering and defence projects.
* Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, milestones, and delivery plans.
* Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with customer requirements.
* Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions where required.
Commercial & Financial Management
* Prepare and manage project budgets and forecasts.
* Ensure commercial viability throughout the project lifecycle.
* Support bid and proposal activities including scope development, resource planning, and costing.
* Manage contract deliverables, variations, and amendments.
Risk & Governance
* Conduct formal risk assessments and maintain risk management documentation.
* Escalate risks and delivery concerns appropriately.
* Lead project reviews, reporting activities, and governance meetings.
* Support delivery through structured lifecycle and stage-gate processes.
Stakeholder & Customer Management
* Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
* Chair project meetings and provide regular progress reporting.
* Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners to achieve successful project outcomes.
Leadership
* Provide leadership across project teams and promote collaborative working practices.
* Coach and mentor team members where appropriate.
* Contribute to continuous improvement within the project management function.
Essential Skills & Experience
* Proven experience delivering complex engineering or defence projects.
* Strong project management expertise across the full project lifecycle.
* Experience managing project budgets, forecasting, and commercial delivery.
* Excellent stakeholder management and customer-facing communication skills.
* Experience managing subcontractors and cross-functional engineering teams.
* Strong risk management, planning, and organisational skills.
* Familiarity with structured project delivery methodologies and governance frameworks.
* Experience using project scheduling and tracking tools such as MS Project.
Desirable Experience
* Previous experience within defence, maritime, subsea, or highly regulated engineering environments.
* Experience working within V-Model or stage-gate delivery frameworks.
* Bid, proposal, or business case development experience.
* PRINCE2, APM PMQ, PMP, or equivalent project management qualification.
Qualifications
* Degree qualified in Engineering, Project Management, Business Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
Additional Information
* Permanent position based in Hampshire.
* Occasional travel may be required depending on project requirements.
* Due to programme requirements, active UK Security Clearance (SC) is essential.
Please contact Coral at DCS to apply